Marine Mammal Surveyor, Rachel, shares her recent experience of using one of her annual volunteering days to take part in an ORCA ferry survey from Portsmouth to Caen:
When most people think about volunteering, they probably don't imagine spending the day on the bridge of a ferry crossing the English Channel, scanning the horizon for whales and dolphins. Yet that's exactly how I recently used one of my volunteering days. In my day job, I work for Natural England and manage Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve near Chichester, where my time is spent among ancient yew trees, chalk grassland, grazing animals and the many species that call the reserve home. My focus is firmly on the land beneath my feet. For one day, however, I swapped the South Downs for the open sea and joined ORCA as a volunteer Marine Mammal Surveyor on a crossing from Portsmouth to Caen.
A perfect day for surveying
The weather could not have been better. The Channel was almost flat calm, with sunshine and excellent visibility - aside from the occasional glare on the water. Calm seas make it much easier to spot marine mammals breaking the surface, and from a personal perspective, it also made for a seasick-free crossing! Of course, good conditions don't guarantee sightings. As with all wildlife surveying, nature doesn’t perform on demand, however much you might will them into existence. Some days offer plenty, others, very little.
Patience rewarded
The survey involved continuously scanning the water ahead and alongside the ship, recording any sightings along with environmental conditions and location. During our official survey effort, we recorded three sightings: two harbour porpoise and one unidentified dolphin. That might not sound like many observations for a full day, but it reflects the reality of wildlife monitoring. Recording the absence of animals in suitable conditions is just as important scientifically as recording high numbers. On one of my previous surveys along the same route, 38 animals were recorded. The contrast highlights why long-term monitoring matters. Individual surveys provide snapshots, but combined over time they build a clearer understand of how marine mammals use our seas.
The sightings that don't count
One of the most memorable moments came outside the formal survey period. As we left France, we spotted a pod of dolphins, likely playing together. Watching them surface through calm water was a powerful reminder of why ORCA's work matters. Marine mammals spend most of their lives hidden beneath the surface, offering fleeting glimpses into their world.
Different habitats, shared challenges
What stood out to me was how similar conservation principles are across environments. Whether managing woodland, grassland or marine habitats, effective conservation relies on good evidence. Decisions must be informed by reliable data, often gathered by dedicated volunteers and citizen scientists. It was refreshing to step into a completely different environment, while recognising the hared foundations of conservation work. The challenges may differ, but the need to understand and protect wildlife is universal.
Why volunteering matters?
What I appreciated most was the chance to contribute to a cause outside my normal role while still supporting wider conservation goals. Volunteering days within Natural England are often seen as opportunities to work on our own reserves, but they can also offer new skills, fresh perspectives and connections with other organisations. My day with ORCA provided all three. I came away with a greater appreciation for marine conservation, a better understanding of how citizen science, and a memorable experience unlike my usual working day.
Would I do it again? Absolutely.
We recorded only three sightings during the survey, but the experience reinforced something familiar to anyone working with wildlife: success isn't always measured in numbers. Sometimes it's about contributing one small piece to a much larger picture. And occasionally, it's simply about spending a beautiful day at sea, watching the horizon and wondering what might appear next.